Welcome to Mid Tipperary Hillwalkers Website

Mid Tipp Hillwalkers offers outdoor activities at all levels including mountaineering, rockclimbing, hillwalking and rambling. The group welcomes all lovers of the outdoors at whatever fitness level while also raising funds for worthy charities.

Mid Tipp Hillwalkers have been in existence now for 26 years, founded by John G O’Dwyer back in 1991. Over these years, hill walking has fast become one of the most popular pastimes in Ireland.

The best, safest and most enjoyable way to enjoy the mountains of Ireland is to join a hill walking club. By joining our club, you can benefit from the guidance of experienced hill walkers and, at the same time, meet and make friends with like-minded people.

Hill walking offers breathtaking views of valleys, snow-capped peaks, and corrie lakes. The tranquility that you will find in the ruggedly beautiful Irish mountain ranges is second to none. You cannot help but be relaxed in and inspired by the exhilarating fresh air and the peaceful surroundings, away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

From an exercise point of view, hill walking is a great way of getting fit and offers a good general workout. It can be a very strenuous activity, so it is very important to start off slowly and build your fitness up gradually. All beginners are welcome and we offer guided walks suitable for all fitness levels; from low-level rambles to challenging high-level mountain routes and rock climbs.

Our group organises several away events each year including two annual charity challenges to the best of Ireland’s mountain ranges. There are also regular winter climbing trips to Scotland, a June meet to the UK a visit to the high mountains of Europe later in the summer.

Sunday Walks

The club has four grades of Sunday walks, A, B, C walks in mountain terrain and Sunday Rambles mostly on track. There are walks most Sundays of the year. Exceptions will be late July and August, and the weekends of the Upperchurch Walking Festival, and the Kerry and Autumn Challenges.

A Walks every Sunday (except late July/August)

These are high level walks leaving Cashel at 11am every Sunday. High level walks are approx. 4-5½ hour in duration. They will take in the highest summits and may include some scrambling or easy / moderate gullies.

B Walks every second Sunday (except late July/August)

These are hill walks of 4-5 hour duration on mountain terrain, perhaps reaching high peaks but at a slower pace than the A walks. They leave from Cashel at 11am every second Sunday.

C Walks every alternate Sunday (except late July/August)

These are hill walks of 3-4 hour duration on mountain terrain, but will not be aiming for high mountain summits. They leave from Cashel at 11am every second Sunday (alternate to the B walks)

Sunday Rambles every fourth week, September – May

The Sunday Rambles leave at 10am from the Slievenamon Road car-park in Thurlesevery fourth Sunday. These are low-level walks, mostly on forest track, and are approx. 2-2½ duration. The aim is to be home by 2pm. (Sunday Rambles will not take place during the summer when they are replaced by the Friday night walks)

New Walkers

New walkers are always welcome to come along and join us (see note below). Just bring boots, suitable clothes and a packed lunch. A change of clothes and particularly footwear for after the walk is also strongly advised. You are advised that hill-walking carries risks and that every walker is responsible for their own safety. The leader’s responsibility is simply to lead the walk (see important note for new walkers below). We hope that you enjoy the experience and will come again. On the third walk, we would ask you to become a member of the club by paying the €10 which is the annual membership fee.

Other Sunday activities

Gullies

Occasionally on a Sunday, an additional walk taking in a challenging gully will be organised. This will require helmet and harness (which it may be possible to borrow) and may involve rope-work.

July/August Sundays

There will be no regular scheduled Sunday walks from Cashel after 17 July or during the month of August. Instead, walks may be organised at different times or to different parts of the country (e.g., Kerry, Wicklow, Galway etc). If any club member would like to organise or lead any such walk, or has an idea for such a walk, please let us know.

Sunday Walks Organiser is Willie Fahey (087 2228062)

Important Note for New Walkers and All Club Members

Mid Tipp Hill Walkers recognises that hill walking activities come with a danger of personal injury or death and does not provide professional mountain leadership. Leadership and guidance given by members is in the tradition whereby a novice will learn from more experienced members. Leaders are not technical experts but amateurs with some experience they are prepared to share. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and are responsible for their own actions and involvement. Anyone participating in group events should recognise that any advice given is on this basis and that the onus of responsibility remains with the individual. Members/guests are responsible to ensure appropriate clothing and footwear when walking and if in difficulty or have concerns, should alert another club member or the walk leader. A member/guest under the age of 18 remains the responsibility of his/her parent/guardian.

Friday Walks

These are low level walks, from May to September of 2 – 3 hrs duration, mostly on forest track. If you want to get out and about in the countryside, meet new people, and make new friends, just come along. We explore paths and trails off the beaten track and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday. We offer an easy introduction to off-road walking for anybody considering taking it up.

All we ask is that you come prepared with sturdy footwear, rain jacket, drink and snack. Everyone welcome, old friends and plenty of room for newcomers. The walks are very sociable and usually we end our Friday evening walk by heading for a cup of tea and sandwich.

We meet every Friday evening at Slievenamon Road car park in Thurles at 6.20pm and leave at 6.30pm sharp.

Activities

Our rock-climbing season this year begins in Ballykeefe Amphitheatre on Tuesday, 09 May. This contains one of the finest quarry climbing walls in the country, with sport and trad climbs at all levels. Departure point (weather permitting) is from opposite the Horse & Jockey Hotel on Tuesday evenings at 6.15. New climbers are welcome (we do have some spare equipment for those new to the activity, but they may need to share it with others during the evening). While we do not offer formal training, we will introduce newcomers to the use of basic climbing gear, safety matters and climbing techniques.

We also organise an annual day-trip to the Burren which can include climbing, walking and caving.

NB: Good practice makes climbing quite a safe practice, but risk is never totally eliminated, and climbers must be willing to be responsible for accepting this risk.

Mid-Tipp Hillwalkers support the annual Kerry Charity Challenge Weekend which takes place in March or April each year, and the Autumn Charity Challenge Weekend which takes place each October. In each of these, six different walks are provided, with levels to suit everybody, with our club providing leaders for most walks. We also support the annual Upperchurch Walking weekend in November. No Sunday walks are organised from Cashel during these three events.

The club also organises occasional day or overnight trips to places like Kerry, Wicklow, the Burren, Galway, Mayo or the Mourne mountains for walking, scrambling or climbing. These are notified to members in advance. Members have also been involved in the Pilgrim Path walks, and quite a few have completed the ‘Irish Camino’

The club organises a number of international trips every year, with activities to cater for everybody. The 2017 trips are to walk the West Highland Way with a group of 18 in June. In August, we will walk, climb and do via ferratas with a group of 19 in the Dolomites in North-East Italy. While there, we hope to climb Marmolada, the highest peak in the range. In 2016, we had a winter mountaineering trip to the Sierra Nevada in Spain in February, to the Yorkshire Dales in June and to Seefeld in Austria in August. In 2015 we were in the Scottish Cairngorms in February, then walking Hadrian’s Wall and visiting the Pyrenees in the summer. Other notable trips in recent years included ascents of Mont Blanc by about 14 club members; the trip to Morocco where we climbed Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa; and the ascent of Pico d’Aneto, the highest point in the Pyrenees.

Meanwhile, other groups from the club have completed sections of the Spanish and Portuguese Camino, as well as walks along the Cornwall Coast and in central England.

Other outdoor activities are organised on occasion by the club. These include the annual orienteering day, usually in April, which is a fun day out for all with the bonus of observing and taking part in map reading and navigation. The annual Holly Walk takes place shortly before Christmas and is an easy, very sociable event for all. Every summer, an opportunity is provided to members to climb some of the finest ridges in Ireland, e.g., Howling Ridge, the East Ridge, FM Ridge (in the Mournes) and Carrot Ridge (in the Twelve Bens). Our annual visit to the Burren usually includes a caving expedition which is very exciting for anyone who has never tried it out. Night walks are also organised from time to time. We have a “Long Walks Sunday” each summer where each walk is much longer than the usual Sunday walk; e.g., in 2017, the A walkers crossed the full length of the Comeraghs, taking 10 hours. Some years, a “Carry on camping” night is held and is great fun – this event, however, is weather permitting.

Finally, the club offers training in navigation and mountain leadership to all interested members. There is also instruction in basic techniques and safety in rock climbing.

News from our Facebook Feed

These are low level walks, from May to September of 2 – 3 hrs duration, mostly on forest track. If you want to get out and about in the countryside, meet new people, and make new friends, just come along. We explore paths and trails off the beaten track and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday. We offer an easy introduction to off-road walking for anybody considering taking it up.

All we ask is that you come prepared with sturdy footwear, rain jacket, drink and snack. Everyone welcome, old friends and plenty of room for newcomers. The walks are very sociable and usually we end our Friday evening walk by heading for a cup of tea and sandwich.

We meet every Friday evening at Slievenamon Road car park in Thurles at 6.20pm and leave at 6.30pm sharp. Walks are organised by Carmel Needham, Tina Bourke and Brid Ryan Bourke. The Friday walking season begins on May 25th, 2018

This coming Sunday (May 27) A and C walks leave from opposite the fire station in Cashel at 11am. The full programme of walks is now on our website at www.midtipphillwalkers.ie or Facebook. d. For further information visit the website or Facebook or call Dan Condren at 087 2273082 for any query re walks. ...

Sunday 20th May 2018, 8 intrepid A walkers, accompanied Eileen Ryan into the fog on the Comeraghs/Monavullaghs. They did Baurnamadra Gap and Seefin. Not bad weather apart from the fog, very little rain and occasionally they even got a brief view before mist closed in again.

The "B" walk was the annual pilgrimage to Cush led by Ray Creaney. Nine participants took part in the walk to Cush and Lough Boreen and back over Cush again. Very windy at times but otherwise a grand day, some good walking and lots of craic. Rescue involving a sheep was part of the day as well. ...

Sunday 13th May 2018, Eoin Wolahan led the A walk in the Galtee mountains. They started from the hostel in Glengarra Wood. The weather was ideal for walking, sunny and dry but not too warm. They walked to Greenane and on to Loughlin's Castle, where they stopped for lunch. They had spectacular views throughout their walk. From there they walked to the foot of Galtybeg before heading for the "black road". They made their way back to the cars walking parallel to Knockeenatoung and through magnificent woodlands. It was a most enjoyable walk.

John G O'Dwyer led the C walk and they headed to Lake Muskry. Lake Muskry Walk is a lovely walking route around the shores of Lough Muskry at the foothills of the Galtees. In fabulous walking conditions the group of 10 enjoyed the circuit around the lake. Lake Muskry is a beautiful gem hidden among the Galtee Mountains. Surrounded by glorious mountains, getting to Lake Muskry and back takes just over 3 hours on foot. The walk to this lake is the perfect way to spend a sunny Sunday.

This coming Sunday (May 20) A and B walks leave from opposite the fire station in Cashel at 11am.

Walking is a great way to get fit as well as being a great way to meet new friends and see new places. Give it a go as new walkers are welcome to come along, so, for a healthy, sociable and enjoyable activity, feel free to join us in Thurles at 10am or Cashel at 11am. Just bring boots, suitable clothes and a packed lunch. A change of clothes and particularly footwear for after the walk is also strongly advised.

The full programme of walks is now on our website at www.midtipphillwalkers.ie or Facebook. For further information visit the website or Facebook or call Dan Condren at 087 2273082 for any query re walks. ...

Sunday 6th May 2018 Winnie Flynn led the A walk. They started in Kings Yard and from there made their way to Temple Hill, where they had lunch, then Knockaterrif Beg, Knockaterrif and back to Kings Yard, 4 and a half hours, great sunshine (lots of sunscrean) and spectacular views over to Galtymore and surrounding areas,

Josephine Tobin led the B walk on a circuit of coumshingaun. Beautiful day, looking down on clouds over south coast. Hundreds of walkers out enjoying lake and circuit above.

Tina Bourke & Brid Ryan Bourke led the Ramble which headed to Durrow, where in glorious conditions walked around 12km. The group of 13 meandered through the leafy loop and had a carpet of bluebells and the scent of garlic in the air. We encountered new four legged friends, celebrated Lithuanian mothers day and finished our walk with cooling ice cream cones sitting in the green in Durrow.

This year a shortened rock climbing season in Ballykeefe is planned to begin on Tuesday, 29 May and to continue on the two following Tuesdays, 05 and 12 June. Departure will be at 6.20pm from opposite the Horse and Jockey hotel. Beginners welcome to join us on the first night.

This coming Sunday (May 13) A and C walks leave from opposite the fire station in Cashel at 11am.

Walking is a great way to get fit as well as being a great way to meet new friends and see new places. Give it a go as new walkers are welcome to come along, so, for a healthy, sociable and enjoyable activity, feel free to join us in Cashel at 11am. Just bring boots, suitable clothes and a packed lunch. A change of clothes and particularly footwear for after the walk is also strongly advised.

The full programme of walks is now on our website at www.midtipphillwalkers.ie or Facebook. For further information visit the website or Facebook or call Dan Condren at 087 2273082 for any query re walks. ...

On Sunday 29th April, with Mid Tipp Hillwalkers, members enjoyed a great day orienteering on Crows Hill and Farbreaga in the Knockmealdowns. In beautiful weather conditions, we had great fun. Thanks Dan and Willie for all your hard work in organising the day.

This coming Sunday (May 6) A and B walks leave from opposite the fire station in Cashel at 11am. There is also a Ramble leaving Slievenamon road carpark Thurles at 10am.

Walking is a great way to get fit as well as being a great way to meet new friends and see new places. Give it a go as new walkers are welcome to come along, so, for a healthy, sociable and enjoyable activity, feel free to join us in Thurles at 10am or Cashel at 11am. Just bring boots, suitable clothes and a packed lunch. A change of clothes and particularly footwear for after the walk is also strongly advised.

The full programme of walks is now on our website at www.midtipphillwalkers.ie or Facebook. For further information visit the website or Facebook or call Dan Condren at 087 2273082 for any query re walks. ...